The former Everton and Manchester United boss is still highly thought of in his homeland, despite a downturn in fortunes since his ill-fated Old Trafford stint. He was sacked by Real Sociedad after just 12 months in Spain and only lasted a season at Sunderland before resigning after the Black Cats’ relegation from the Premier League. His track record of making the most of resources at Goodison Park, however, may yet hold sway with Scottish Football Association chiefs.

ALEX McLEISH

The former Scotland boss is another popular candidate with the bookmakers to return to the Hampden hot seat. His first stint with the national team saw him take charge of just 10 games, but it produced seven wins, including the James McFadden-inspired triumph over France in Paris in 2007. The former Rangers boss went on to win the League Cup with Birmingham, but subsequent spells in charge at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Belgian outfit Genk have not been quite so fruitful.

MICHAEL O’NEILL

Has performed wonders in charge of his native Northern Ireland, leading them to the last 16 at Euro 2016 and now to the play-offs for a place in Russia. Despite having a limited talent pool to work with, his team comfortably beat both the Czech Republic and Norway to finish as runners-up to Germany in their qualifying group. The former Dundee United and Hibernian winger still lives in Edinburgh, so his familiarity with the Scottish football landscape should make any potential switch a smooth one. But any move would surely depend on his current side coming up short in next month’s play-offs.

PAUL LAMBERT

As a former Scotland skipper, Lambert would be unlikely to turn down the opportunity to manage his country if it was presented to him. He was a hot ticket in England after successful spells in charge at Wycombe, Colchester and Norwich, but his move to cash-strapped Aston Villa in the summer of 2012 proved to be the most testing period of his managerial career and he lasted just three seasons before being sacked in February 2015 with his side third bottom of the table. Short spells with Blackburn and Wolves have failed to reignite his fortunes.

DEREK McINNES

The Aberdeen boss has been hailed for waking the sleeping Pittodrie giant since taking over four-and-a-half years ago. His 2014 League Cup triumph ended the Dons’ 19-year wait for a trophy and, despite working with a budget which is a fraction of that available to Celtic, his team have consistently been a thorn in the side of the Hoops in recent seasons. He may not have the big-game management experience of some of his rivals, but his track record speaks for itself.

MALKY MACKAY

The former Watford, Cardiff and Wigan manager is already on the SFA payroll, having been appointed to the Hampden performance director post last December, so could take up the reins quickly. He landed his current post despite a hugely controversial exit from Cardiff, but his record with the Welsh outfit, who he led to promotion to the Premier League in 2013, is proof of his managerial capabilities.